LIFE | YOUTH is a leadership development utility for young people to explore and interrogate their self awareness, developmental networks, and advocacy for racial equity and social justice
The YOUTH Component of LIFE is guided by these five axioms:
1. The people closest to the issues in schools and communities are best situated to discover answers to local concerns
2. Learning and leadership are dynamic social processes
3. Conversations are critical and central pedagogical processes
4. Crossing boundaries enriches development and educational processes
5. Hope and change are built on assets and dreams of locals and their communities
Our Goals include:
1. Improving urban schools through high quality professional development
2. Informing the work of the Center for Urban Education and Policy and the College of Education and Human Services through high-impact research and assessment
3. Creating substantive school-community relationships that empower and inspire educational innovation
4. Bridging the university with the community and schools through information, resources and relationships that acknowledge the existing assets and resources of each entity